fundamental rights : the magna carta of India

Magna Carta is the Charter of rights issued by the King John of England. It is the first written document on Fundamental Rights of the citizens.

Fundamental Rights:

1.       Meant for promoting the idea of democracy.

2.      Prevent the establishment of authoritarian and despotic rule.

3.      Protect people’s liberties.

The Fundamental Rights are enshrined in the part III of the Indian Constitution. It constitutes articles 12–35. They are inspired from the USA’s Bill of Rights. Part III contains long and comprehensive list of justiciable Fundamental Rights. These are more elaborate than anywhere else in the world.

The reason FR include the term ‘Fundamental’ is because they are guaranteed and protected by the Constitution, which happens to be the fundamental law of the land. Also, they are essential for all round progress of the individuals (intellectual, material, moral etc).

Magna Carta is a cornerstone of the individual liberties that we enjoy, and it presents an ongoing challenge to arbitrary rule. But over time, while not envisaged at the time of its drafting, Magna Carta has for many been seen not only as a foundation of liberty, but also as one of democracy. And this broader notion of the wider significance of Magna Carta makes it especially relevant today. It is perhaps easiest to think of Magna Carta in two ways: first, as a document of historical and legal significance; and secondly, as a principle underlying how we live, through equality under the rule of law and through accountability. Magna Carta matters both for what it said in 1215 and, perhaps more significantly now, for what it has come to symbolise.